Camouflaged parcel receptacle

ABSTRACT

A camouflaged parcel receptacle comprising a front panel and at least two side panels that define a space wherein an item can be placed. A plurality of tabs that can be spaced on the front panel and on the at least two side panels. At least one pivot joint that can couples the front panel to the at least two sides wherein the at least two sides can have at least one inner slot. A decorative item which can be removably coupled to the plurality of tabs. The camouflaged parcel receptacle can further comprise a support rod having at least one rod end wherein the rod ends can be removably attached to the at least one inner slot. The rod can be coupled to a bottom panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from currently pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/336,480 titled “Camouflaged Parcel Receptacle” and having a filing date of Apr. 29, 2022, all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to a receptacle for box, more specifically to a camouflaged receptacle container that can be placed on a user's porch and blend in with its surroundings.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of Amazon and other online shopping resources, consumers have chosen more frequently to take advantage of the convenience of delivery to their home or business. A delivery person simply brings the package to a delivery location and leaves it in a convenient location, for example, a doorstep or a porch. By leaving the package in the open on someone's doorstep or porch there has been an increase in theft of delivered items. Theft is a drain on resources and increases cost of items because insurance for those items increase. Additionally, the theft of delivered items increases the confusion of whether an item was delivered or not. Deliveries that can be viewed from a distance, such as from the street, are more susceptible to theft and in order to keep the parcels safe individuals are required to be home which is not always practical when the individual has to be somewhere.

Individuals have developed big, heavy boxes that are lockable on the top but in most cases these boxes are still movable and are viewable from the street allowing individuals to walk up and take the whole box from the individual's porch or doorstep. Other user have developed boxes that are collapsible and attached to the door, pillar or other point on the house or apartment. These types of boxes can be expensive and put of the reach of reach for most consumers. Additionally, individuals have put lock boxes on their structure which can be permanently mounted to a building or other fixed object. Lock boxes are usually small and in commercial settings where strict control on placement and appearance is not feasible.

Therefore, there is a need for an easy, affordable and convenient device that hides a delivery item from the view of thieves from the street but maintains ease of delivery for the delivery person.

SUMMARY

Aspects disclosed herein comprise a camouflaged parcel receptacle comprising a front panel and at least two side panels that define a space wherein an item can be placed. A plurality of tabs that can be spaced on the front panel and on the at least two side panels. At least one pivot joint that can couples the front panel to the at least two sides wherein the at least two sides can have at least one inner slot. A decorative item which can be removably coupled to the plurality of tabs. The camouflaged parcel receptacle can further comprise a support rod having at least one rod end wherein the rod ends can be removably attached to the at least one inner slot. The rod can be coupled to a bottom panel.

The at least two side panels can be a first panel and a second panel. The front panel and the at least two side panels can have at least one ledge around its perimeter. The at least one ledge can have at least one support. The two side panels can pivot around the at least one pivot joint folding into or onto the front panel. The decorative item can be at least one of a plant, bush, hedge, wall, slats, and basket. The front panel and the at least two side panels can be sheet metal, stainless steel or plastic. The bottom panel can be configured to allow an item to sit on it.

The camouflaged parcel receptacle can further comprise a removable top panel acting as a door wherein the top panel has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be at least one of a combination, key, combination, dial, code, digital, electronic, mechanical, locking doorknob, doorknob, deadbolt, slide bolt, and latch. The top panel can have at least one of a rolled, hinged, trap, hatch, self-closing, swing, butterfly, slotted, slot, push, and panel door. The decorative item can be something that would typically appear in and around an area where a package would be left.

Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain, and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of molding a . . . , without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of molding a . . . , step for performing the function of molding a . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

Additional features and advantages of the present specification will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present specification will become better understood regarding the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 a is a bottom isometric view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 b is a close-up isometric view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a back view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a isometric of another embodiment of the view of a camouflaged parcel receptacle embodiment in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 8 is isometric and side view of yet another embodiment of the camouflaged parcel receptacle embodiment in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 a camouflaged parcel receptacle is shown generally at 10. A camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can comprise a front panel 12 and at least two side panels 14, 16 that define a space wherein an item can be placed wherein the at least two side panels is a first panel 14 and a second panel 16. The front panel 12 can be any shape such as, for example, circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or the like, but in the preferred embodiment the front panel is rectangular. A plurality of tabs 28 can be spaced evenly or unevenly on the front panel 12 and on the at least two side panels 14, 16. The plurality of tabs 28 can be integral to the front panel 12 and first panel 14 and the second panel 16 or the tabs can be coupled to the front panel, first panel and second panel by such as, for example, adhesive, snaps, hook and loop, fastener, or the like. The plurality of tabs 28 can be such as, for example, brackets, flange, adhesive mount, flange, miter flange, or the like. In certain embodiments the plurality of tabs 28 can be omitted.

In embodiments, the front panel 12, the first panel 14 and the second panel 16 can have at least one pivot joint 18, 20 wherein in the preferred embodiment the at least one pivot joint is a first pivot joint 18 and a second pivot joint 20. The first pivot joint 18 and the second pivot joint 20 can couple the front panel 12 to the first panel 14 and the second panel 16 wherein the first panel and the second panel can have at least one inner slot 40 as shown in FIG. 6 . The front panel 12 and the first panel 14 and the second panel 16 can have at least one ledge 22 around its perimeter wherein the at least one ledge can surround at least a portion of the perimeter of the front panel 12, first panel 14 and second panel 16. The inner slot 40 can be integral or coupled to the at least one ledge substantially near the bottom of the first panel 14 and the second panel 16. The inner slot 40 can have at least two holes 26, 27 wherein the first hole 26 is larger in diameter than the second hole 27 as shown in FIG. 6 .

The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can further comprise a support rod 32 having at least one rod end 36 wherein the rod ends can be removably attached to the at least one inner slot 40. The support rod 32 can be coupled to a bottom panel 30. In other embodiments, the inner slot 40 can be snaps, or hooks that can couple to a support rod 32. In embodiments, the at least on edge can have at least one support that can protect the front panel 12, first panel 14 and second panel 20 from the ground. The first panel 14 and the second panel 16 can pivot around the at least one pivot joint 18, 20 folding into or onto the front panel 12.

The decorative item 42 can be at least one of a plant, bush, hedge, wall, slats, and basket wherein the decorative item can blend in with or emulate any type of items that bay located on a user's porch. The front panel 12 and the first panel 14 and second panel 16 can be sheet metal, stainless steel, or plastic. The bottom panel 30 can be configured to allow an item such as a parcel to sit on it being shielded by the front panel 12, first panel 14 and second panel 16. The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can emulate something that would typically appear in and around an area where a package would be left, such as a hedge, planter, plant(s), topiary, wall of plants, CHIA PET™, wall, basket, statuary, pots, box, or the like. In other embodiments, the receptacle 10 comprises an at least semi-rigid container 12, a lid or a door 14, and/or text 16.

The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can further comprise a removable top panel 44 acting as a door wherein the top panel has a locking mechanism (not shown) as shown in FIG. 7 . The locking mechanism can be at least one of a combination, key, combination, dial, code, digital, electronic, mechanical, locking doorknob, doorknob, deadbolt, slide bolt, and latch. The top panel 44 can have at least one of a rolled, hinged, trap, hatch, self-closing, swing, butterfly, slotted, slot, push, and panel door.

In certain embodiments, the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can comprise at least one wall which can be a front panel 12, first panel 14, second panel 16 and a back panel 17 that defines a space wherein a delivery item can be placed and concealed from being viewed from a distance as shown in FIG. 7 . Camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be comprised of various materials, including, weatherproof materials, fabric, plastic, silicone, metal, and/or the like. The text 16 can be a graphic(s), word(s), number(s), symbol(s), delivery instructions, address, and/or the like. The receptacle 10 can be weighted to create a low center of mass making it more difficult to tip over.

In other embodiments, the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can emulate a hedge and be comprised any a material that resembles greenery, such as synthetic turf, or the like. The material that comprises camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be semi-rigid, or the camouflaged parcel receptacle can be comprised of an at least semi-rigid frame that is covered with a decorative material to emulate the hedge, such as, synthetic turf, artificial flowers, artificial greenery, or the like as shown in FIG. 8 . The door 44 can be comprised of any material that can be rolled, such as synthetic turf, printed fabric, vinyl, or connected solid segments that can be rolled, and/or the like. The door 44 can be secured by any removably securable means, such as, hook and loop, snaps, ties, hook and eye, and/or the like.

A delivery person can place a delivery item within the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 completing a delivery quickly while preventing the delivery item from being viewed by a person on the street, or from some other distance. The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 embodiment that can emulate a planter as shown in FIG. 7 . In certain embodiments, the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be shaped to emulate a planter, such as a box, flowerpot, and/or the like. The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be comprised of typical planter and/or flowerpot materials or materials that emulate typical planter and/or flowerpot materials, such as, wood, terra cotta, ceramic, plastic, and/or the like. The door 14 can be coupled to the first panel 14, second panel 16, front panel 12 or the back panel 17 by at least one hinge. The hinge can be comprised of metal, fabric, leather, and/or the like. The hinge can be configured to open out or in and may be self-closing. In a particular embodiment, gravity causes the door to self-close. The door 44 can have a door handle (not shown) that can be a handle, slot, knob, pull or the like.

In certain embodiments the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can emulate a wall. The emulated wall can be an accent piece and can hold additional decorative items on top, or it can be configured to blend into the background, for example, it can be finished to be indistinguishable from the building from a distance. In further example, the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be comprised of, or have the appearance of being comprised of, stucco, wood, exterior siding, brick, block, shiplap or the like. In at least one embodiment of camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can emulate a basket and can be comprised of, or appear to be comprised of, wicker, seagrass, rattan, and/or the like. The camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can be configured to be larger at the top and smaller at the bottom so as to allow for nested shipping. In certain embodiments the camouflaged parcel receptacle 10 can further comprise an electrical system (not shown) that can communicate with a user wherein the electrical system can be connected to at least one weight sensor for notifying user when the parcel has arrived or been disturbed. The at least one weight sensor can be coupled to the bottom panel 30.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A camouflaged parcel receptacle comprising a front panel and at least two side panels that define a space wherein an item can be placed; a plurality of tabs spaced on the front panel and on the at least two side panels; at least one pivot joint that couples the front panel to the at least two sides wherein the at least two sides have at least one inner slot; and a decorative item removably coupled to the plurality of tabs.
 2. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a support rod having at least one rod end wherein the rod ends are removably attached to the at least one inner slot.
 3. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 2, wherein the rod is coupled to a bottom panel.
 4. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, wherein the at least two side panels are a first panel and a second panel.
 5. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the at least two side panels have at least one ledge around its perimeter.
 6. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 5, wherein the at least one ledge has at least one support.
 7. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 5, wherein the two side panels pivot around the at least one pivot joint folding into or onto the front panel.
 8. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, wherein the decorative item is at least one of a plant, bush, hedge, wall, slats, and basket.
 9. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the at least two side panels are sheet metal, stainless steel or plastic.
 10. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 3, wherein the bottom panel is configured to allow an item to sit on it.
 11. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a removable top panel acting as a door wherein the top panel has a locking mechanism
 12. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism is at least one of a combination, key, combination, dial, code, digital, electronic, mechanical, locking doorknob, doorknob, deadbolt, slide bolt, and latch.
 13. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 11, wherein the top panel is at least one of a rolled, hinged, trap, hatch, self-closing, swing, butterfly, slotted, slot, push, and panel door.
 14. The camouflaged parcel receptacle of claim 11, wherein the decorative item is a bush, planter, pot, or ornament grass that would typically appear in and around an area where a package would be left. 